Degradable whipstock apparatus and methods of use

Abstract

Whipstocks and deflectors comprising a degradable composition, and methods of using same are described. In one embodiment the degradable composition consists essentially of one or more reactive metals in major proportion, and one or more alloying elements in minor proportion, with the provisos that the composition is high- strength, controllably reactive, and degradable under defined conditions. Methods of using degradable whipstocks in oilfield operations are also described.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to the fields of oilfield exploration, production, and testing, and more particularly to a deflector device, commonly referred to as a whipstock, comprising a degradable composition, and methods of use thereof. Background technique [0002] Existing structural compositions, i.e. materials and combinations of materials, have been developed to carry high loads (forces, stresses, and pressures) over the available temperature range, are unreactive, and are thus resistant to common fluids such as water, or degrades by dissolution, decomposition, or both in the presence of moist air). Please note that for a better understanding of the present invention, a composition is defined herein as a tangible element produced by arranging several components or sub-compositions to form a unified whole. Accordingly, the definition of composition is expanded beyond the chemical composition of materials to include all combinations o...

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Problems solved by technology

However, the presence of these devices in the main well means that the flow area is reduced

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